OPINION
Pablo Zabaleta’s West Ham United contract is up at the end of the season, and his struggles against Huddersfield Town on Saturday demonstrated why it would be a good idea to allow him to walk away at the end of the campaign.
The Argentine is 34 years of age now, he’s no spring chicken, and in recent months we have seen his veteran status hammered home in a number of concerning performances.
He’s not yet a liability, but as he showed in the Hammers’ 4-3 win over the Terriers, he’s certainly not what he once was. Zabaleta, on a reported £75,000-per-week in East London [Source: Spotrac], struggled from start to finish against one of the Premier League’s worst teams.
He was given the run around in the first half and barely improved after the break. It almost seems harsh to say because he is such a nice guy and a legend of English football, but he’s starting to look a little washed up.
Why not get out before the train really goes off the rails? He’s yet to really cost the Hammers, but the signs aren’t good for his prospects moving forward.
We’ve seen recently that Ryan Fredericks is very much manager Manuel Pellegrini’s first choice at right back, so what is really the point in keeping Zabaleta around? The club can use the money they save from his wages on sourcing his replacement, someone who can more adequately push Fredericks.
Every player comes to the end of the road eventually, and considering that there’s been no word on a contract renewal for Zabaleta, everything’s pointing to this season being his last in a claret and blue shirt.
West Ham don’t need to worry about finding a buyer for Zabaleta, they can simply cut him loose when his deal expires in a few months time. It seems like the ideal solution for everyone involved.
